Millwall get apology from Westminster council after club badge featured in kids' booklet on racism

Millwall have received an apology after the club's badge featured in a children's booklet intended to "illustrate the historic problem of racism within football".

It showed the club's blue lion emblem on the clothing of someone dressed in KKK-style white robes.

Westminster City Council, which distributed the booklet to schools in the capital, said it had apologised to Millwall "for the improper use of their logo and for any offence caused".

It said it had been removed from circulation and it was reviewing its processes to make sure it doesn't occur again.

"We accept the use of this image was an insensitive way to illustrate the historic problem of racism within football," the London council added.

In a statement on X via the official supporters' club, Millwall said the picture had created a "false and damaging image of the club".

"The club is still considering its legal position on the matter and are unable to comment further," the statement added.

The image appeared opposite a photo of Paul Canoville, Chelsea's first black player, with a speech bubble saying: "Racism never went away. I was badly abused in a reserve match at Millwall but then I could show the racists my 1984 2nd Division Champions medal!"

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The Paul Canoville Foundation said he had received "serious racial abuse by a number of individuals wearing Ku Klux Klan-style white hoods" during a reserves match against Millwall in the 1980s.

It said the former player had spoken to students about his experiences - but stressed he was not consulted on the booklet.

"[It] was not produced by, commissioned by, or approved by The Paul Canoville Foundation or our Founder, Paul Canoville," a statement said.

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